Leadership Team
Meet the visionaries behind Unifi. Our leadership team combines years of expertise in sustainability, technology, and business strategy, driving our mission to deliver exceptional ESG solutions.
Giles Douglas – Chairperson
Chartered Accountant (ICAEW)
Giles Douglas brings a wealth of experience in M&A, ECM, and structured finance, cultivated across the UK and South Africa. As an ICAEW chartered accountant since 1996, Giles’s journey included pivotal roles at Rothschild and Deutsche Bank, where he led significant transactions in the consumer products and mining sectors. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through when he founded TEIM Ventures, a venture capital firm, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing new businesses with both capital and expertise. Giles’s return to Rothschild in South Africa as Managing Director further solidified his reputation for executing major cross-border deals, making him a key asset to Unifi’s leadership team.
Aiden Choles – CEO
BA Honours Psychology I MTh Practical Theology
Aiden Choles, co-founder and CEO of Unifi, is at the forefront of steering the company’s strategic direction and operational execution, particularly across the EMEA markets. With a rich background in psychology and practical theology, Aiden’s expertise extends beyond traditional business leadership; he’s a published author and narrative psychologist with over two decades of experience in enhancing organisational effectiveness. His deep understanding of ESG and sustainability imperatives is integral to Unifi’s unique platform-driven advisory services, making sustainability accessible and impactful for clients worldwide.
Dan McPherson – Non-Executive Director
Dan McPherson, a serial investor known for his keen ability to scale tech businesses, brings strategic investment insights and client-centric solution development to Unifi. His portfolio includes numerous successful ventures, highlighting his knack for identifying and nurturing potential in the tech space. Dan’s role at Unifi involves not just financial stewardship but also a hands-on approach to shaping innovative and sustainable business solutions.
JG Cowper – Director: Tech and Data
BSc Elec Engineering I MSc Biomedical Engineering
JG Cowper’s expertise in data management and analytical insights spans key industries such as agriculture, automotive, finance, and healthcare in regions including Southern Africa, Europe, and the US. Specialising in building business intelligence teams and solutions, JG empowers stakeholders to leverage data for value creation, and risk mitigation and efficiency Improvements. His comprehensive skills in supply chain optimisation and BI/AI are crucial in fostering meaningful exchanges across Unifi’s diverse client base.
Mokena Mokapela – Principal Analyst and Customer Success Manager
BCom (Investments & Corporate Finance & Management) I PGDip (Development Finance)
Since Unifi’s inception, Mokena Mokapela has been a pivotal figure, contributing significantly to the company’s product design, research, and client delivery processes. His efforts in enhancing data collection, product development, and ESG framework research across multiple sectors have been instrumental in Unifi’s success. Mokena’s academic background includes a BCom in Investments & Corporate Finance from the University of Witwatersrand and a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Finance from Stellenbosch Business School, underscoring his expertise in financial analysis and customer success.
